Trade and Free Agency Thread - 2022 - Off-season

[kb]

We should replace Matthews with 20 guys who can score 3 goals each.

That will bring balance to our lineup

Yup. Imagine thinking trading away scoring will help balance the team. LOLOL

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Honourable mention: Nico Sturm, Trevor Lewis, Johan Larsson, Sam Gagner, Ryan Dzingel, Mark Pysyk, Nick Cousins

Lewis, Dzingel, and Gagner should probably not be in our lineup. Gagner may be able to somewhat fly as an offensive guy, but we can probably do better even for cheap. Cousins too, but he is at least a pest.

Nico Sturm is another Kampf. Not sure that is what we need.

I'd take Pysyk for Marlies depth or maybe as a #7. We need both and he is a solid candidate for it.

Larsson is the best fit IMO. He can play on the shutdown line, or even on the other bottom 6 line, and can fill in at center on occasion.

Ranking the 10 free agents who best fit the Maple Leafs' needs

Exploring 10 free-agent possibilities for the Leafs, ranked based on how well they fill a need, with cost and commitment in mind.

theathletic.com

10. Justin Braun​

9. Maxim Mamin​

8. Dominik Kubalik​

7. Zach Aston-Reese

6. Evan Rodrigues​

5. Ville Husso​

4. Miles Wood​

3. Andrew Cogliano​

2. Darren Helm​

1. Marc-Andre Fleury​

Pass on Cogliano and Helm. Good for them having a nice little playoff run, but they are old and they looked cooked more often than not this past year.

Mamin already signed in Russia and he is not good enough.

Braun will get better opportunities elsewhere.

I'd consider the rest for the right price.

 

[ULF_55]

If Gagner starts on this roster, it’s a problem.

He's just a Spezza replacement.

I'd really prefer some graduating Marlies, but if not that then firing the scouting staff.

 

[Dreakmur]

He's just a Spezza replacement.

I'd really prefer some graduating Marlies, but if not that then firing the scouting staff.

We don’t need and shouldn’t want a Spezza replacement.

 

[Apex Predator]

Yup. Imagine thinking trading away scoring will help balance the team. LOLOL

26 players last season scored between 30-39 goals.

86 players scored between 20-29 goals.

Asking to replace one guy who scored 34 goals with 2 guys in the 20-29 range that can bring different elements to the game to balance the team is not some crazy LOL .

You can find those guys at the same or cheaper total cap hit than the one. We’re not saying replace Matthews 60 goals defensive, face off skills, or Marners playmaking and defensive skill.

 

[GoodNewfieBoy]

Need to pony up for Scott Mayfield. Getting that top four right D at that cap hit would be a boon.

I still want to trade Nylander for the 2 OA too if Jersey would do that. Then sign Nichuskin for $6 AAV.

Robertson Matthews Nichuskin
Slavofsky Tavares Marner
Bunting Kampf Wood (sweet checking unit)
Steeves Douglas Anderson

Rielly Brodie
Muzzin Mayfield
Gio Lily

Gibson
DeSmith

This lineup still has a bit of cap space too

 

[Ziggdiezan]

That would be better. Even Muzzin-Brodie, Gio-Sandin. I'd prefer Rielly-Boosh, Muzz-Brodie, Gio-Lily with Muzz-Brodie taking hard minutes and Rielly-Boosh sheltered. I'd trade Sandin at what could be his peak value for a similar aged C. I have been proposing Hayton. Turcotte also fits the bill to a lesser extent.

Ya those could work too though I'm not as much a fan of putting Boosh with Rielly. Rielly gets a ton of minutes particularly in the offensive zone and Boosh basically can't handle the puck.

I think management is pretty high on Sandin so i don't think we see any trades though I get why you would want to. His pretty bad skating (particularly straight line) coupled with small statue isn't ideal.

 

[ULF_55]

26 players last season scored between 30-39 goals.

86 players scored between 20-29 goals.

Asking to replace one guy who scored 34 goals with 2 guys in the 20-29 range that can bring different elements to the game to balance the team is not same crazy LOL .

You can find those guys at the same or cheaper total cap hit than the one. We’re not saying replace Matthews 60 goals defensive, face off skills, or Marners playmaking and defensive skill.

Perhaps moving marner down to the third line makes more sense.

He can then make a couple of the third liners into 25 goal players.

So
Matthews 50 , Bunting 20, Douglas - 10 = 80 goals
Tavares 30, Nylander 35, McMann 10 = 75 goals
marner 30, Kase 25, Engvall 25 = 80 goals
Kampf 10, Kerfoot 10, Robertson 10 = 30 goals

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Love the Gio signing but it pushes Sandin down or to the right side and I am not sure I like a right side of Brodie, Lily and Sandy. Just not hard enough to play against. We need a Muzzin on the right side to complete the D. No idea what the Leafs are thinking but I am thinking they entertain offers for Sandy.

Ya not an ideal right side if you want to win the cup with the lack of experience, I would agree. Ya keeping Muzzin and signing Gio definitely puts Sandin in an awkward spot where there isn't anywhere obvious for him.

Really need to get one of those physical beasts on the backend who can skate like crazy, is strong, can clear the crease but also still make a pass.

 

[ACC1224]

Comparing a center who scores 60 goals to a winger who takes nights off and scores 30ish goals. Not even close to the same logic.

Maybe you were making a joke and it went over my head. If that’s the case my bad.

Was a dumb joke. You're thinking of a more balanced lineup while his lame attempt takes a team that scores 300 plus goals down to 60 and thinks its the same thing.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

My guess is Rielly-Liljegren, Muzzin-Brodie and Giordano-Sandin. I had hoped for a return to the Rielly-Brodie pairing but that would essentially leave the team without a matchup duo.

Ya definitely a possibility though I too really liked Brodie with Rielly. Seems pretty balanced, I have a feel though they will want to try to manage Muzzin's minutes as well as Gio so Rielly's pairing likely receives crazy minutes

It's going to likely be value additions like last year and keep maybe 2 spots open for Marlies to fight over.


Everything points to Jack leaving. Very likely 2 new goalies


Plenty of space when you remove Kerfoot, Holl and Mrazek


I was thinking Blackwood for backup spot with a clear starter in front


Kerfoot wasn't mentioned in this podcast really. Another thing that adds a wrinkle is apparently Leafs have discussed having 2 different defences for regular season and playoffs. I don't see how thats possible but something to track if they make moves. Marner at centre was brought up as well which Marner is open too apparently.

Trying Marner at center is madness to me, he is already one of the best wingers in the game and even if you do move him to center the leafs would be brutal on the wings with Willy the only notable winger

 

[TheDoldrums]

The goaltending decision(s) are so vital that it dwarfs any other concerns. I'm pretty confident the forward and defense groups are going to be fine regardless.

The scary part is that it makes sense to put most of our resources (cap space, assets) into goalie solutions...but they're way, way less predictable than skaters so it's tough to feel confident about spending on the position.

 

[Apex Predator]

Perhaps moving marner down to the third line makes more sense.

He can then make a couple of the third liners into 25 goal players.

So
Matthews 50 , Bunting 20, Douglas - 10 = 80 goals
Tavares 30, Nylander 35, McMann 10 = 75 goals
marner 30, Kase 25, Engvall 25 = 80 goals
Kampf 10, Kerfoot 10, Robertson 10 = 30 goals

If we’re moving Marner center maybe we push Marner to second line and Tavares can anchor the 3rd line. Marner gets offensive zone face offs and Tavares gets the defensive ones.

 

[jaric1862]

If he’s not tenured, Kubalik is a guy I want.

 

[ULF_55]

Ya not an ideal right side if you want to win the cup with the lack of experience, I would agree. Ya keeping Muzzin and signing Gio definitely puts Sandin in an awkward spot where there isn't anywhere obvious for him.

Really need to get one of those physical beasts on the backend who can skate like crazy, is strong, can clear the crease but also still make a pass.

Jack Johnson, 35 years old, $750k, just played 3rd. pairing minutes on the Stanley Cup Champs team.

Guess you don't have to overpay for 3rd. pairing defenders to win the Cup.
Who thought Jack Johnson was good enough for that?

 

[Avilaj07]

To Toronto-
Kevin Fiala
Jordan Greenway
Jon Merril

To Minnesota-
William Nylander
Rasmus Sandin
1st Round Pick

 

[thusk]

26 players last season scored between 30-39 goals.

86 players scored between 20-29 goals.

Asking to replace one guy who scored 34 goals with 2 guys in the 20-29 range that can bring different elements to the game to balance the team is not same crazy LOL .

You can find those guys at the same or cheaper total cap hit than the one. We’re not saying replace Matthews 60 goals defensive, face off skills, or Marners playmaking and defensive skill.

They are 2 way to upgrade goal for your team...

Raise number of goal for
OR
Reduces number of goal you allowed


I give you an exemple... David Kampf..yes hes only scored 11 but how many goal he saved because of his defensive game all season? His impact was much more higher than his 11 goal he scored contrairly to 12 spezza goal...

Score 350 goal and allow 300 is the same thing than score 250 and allow 200

But score 300 and allow 225...there a positif impact

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Jack Johnson, 35 years old, $750k, just played 3rd. pairing minutes on the Stanley Cup Champs team.

Guess you don't have to overpay for 3rd. pairing defenders to win the Cup.
Who thought Jack Johnson was good enough for that?

I was pleased to see that given the terrible shit his family did to him stealing all his money and stuff.

I agree that you don't need highly paid guys on the third pairing, that's why when I've seen people pencil in Muzzin on the third pairing I cringe

 

[SwissLeaf]

Malkin is too young for a Spezza contract, right?

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

Is Justin Holl's value really that low? Relative to other tall RD (even if not physical) that can PK, how is this guy not worth a top pick(s)? We really should be able to cash in something respectable for him.

Kerfoot may be worth more to the Leafs than in trade

I can't believe Mikheyev is going to get huge money. The guy has a way longer sample of zero goal scoring ability. We'll be a worse team without him but man was he just not good in 3 playoff series in a row.

 

[Apex Predator]

They are 2 way to upgrade goal for your team...

Raise number of goal for
OR
Reduces number of goal you allowed


I give you an exemple... David Kampf..yes hes only scored 11 but how many goal he saved because of his defensive game all season? His impact was much more higher than his 11 goal he scored contrairly to 12 spezza goal...

Score 350 goal and allow 300 is the same thing than score 250 and allow 200

But score 300 and allow 225...there a positif impact

That’s what I was trying to say originally but another poster gave me the LOL . I agree with that line of thinking and if we can do that leafs will be a better team. On paper they won’t look better but on the ice they will be better.

 

[Buds17]

Ya definitely a possibility though I too really liked Brodie with Rielly. Seems pretty balanced, I have a feel though they will want to try to manage Muzzin's minutes as well as Gio so Rielly's pairing likely receives crazy minutes


Trying Marner at center is madness to me, he is already one of the best wingers in the game and even if you do move him to center the leafs would be brutal on the wings with Willy the only notable winger

Rielly-Brodie is certainly the way to go if the intention is to have a workhorse pairing.

I'm not big on the idea of Marner at centre either. The team should go back to Matthews-Nylander and Tavares-Marner if Matthews and Marner aren't going to be lining up together.

 

[Dreakmur]

Malkin is too young for a Spezza contract, right?

He’s much too Russian to take a hometown contract in Toronto.

 

[Leafs4Life77]

If he’s not tenured, Kubalik is a guy I want.

Me too. There's so much speculation that he won't be qualified but I can't figure out why Chicago wouldn't just sign him to a 1x4 or a 1x4.5 deal, retain half and flip him for an asset. Presumably, he would have decent value at a $2M or $2.25M cap hit.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Rielly-Brodie is certainly the way to go if the intention is to have a workhorse pairing.

I'm not big on the idea of Marner at centre either. The team should go back to Matthews-Nylander and Tavares-Marner if Matthews and Marner aren't going to be lining up together.

Ya agreed, Nylander is just so much faster than JT now and it will only get worse. Think it is time to balance the lineup more now rather than have line 1 stacking points at a crazy rate